Two Vietnamese entrepreneurs have been named by Forbes as being among the top 50 powerful businesswomen in Asia.
Mai Kieu Lien, chairwoman and CEO of the Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company (Vinamilk) and Thai Huong, chairwoman of TH Group with the TH True Milk brand, were named in the Asia's Power Businesswomen 2015 list, released by Forbes last week.
Vinamilk is one of the best-known brands in Vietnam and, according to research firm Nielsen, has 51 percent of the liquid milk market share, Forbes said.
Vinamilk's revenue jumped 14 percent in 2014 to reach 1.7 billion USD, supported by two new factories, the magazine said, adding that Lien, 61, aims to push sales to touch 3 billion USD by 2017 by expanding overseas.
Vinamilk exports to 30 countries and is trying to sell more to the Middle East, Africa and Cuba. But Lien faces certain challenges. For instance, the company's profit last year was flat as the price of raw materials – largely imported milk powder … [Read more...]

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Two Vietnamese entrepreneurs have been named by Forbes as being among the top 50 powerful businesswomen in Asia.
Mai Kieu Lien, chairwoman and CEO of the Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company (Vinamilk) and Thai Huong, chairwoman of TH Group with the TH True Milk brand, were named in the Asia's Power Businesswomen 2015 list, released by Forbes last Wednesday.
Vinamilk is one of the best-known brands in Viet Nam and, according to research firm Nielsen, has 51% of the liquid milk market share, Forbes said.
Vinamilk's revenue jumped 14% in 2014 to reach US$1.7 billion, supported by two new factories, the magazine said, adding that Lien, 61, aims to push sales to touch $3 billion by 2017 by expanding overseas.
Vinamilk exports to 30 countries and is trying to sell more to the Middle East, Africa and Cuba. But Mai faces certain challenges. For instance, the company's profit last year was flat as the price of raw materials—largely imported milk … [Read more...]

Forbes Magazine has named two Vietnamese female business leaders among the 50 most powerful businesswomen in Asia.
Forbes on Wednesday.
Vinamilk is one of the most famous brands in Vietnam and the company now has 51 percent of the local liquid milk market share, Forbes said, citing research firm Nielsen.
Its revenue jumped 14 percent in 2014 to US$1.7 billion, supported by two new factories, the magazine said, adding that Lien, 61, aims to push sales to $3 billion by 2017 by expanding overseas.
Vinamilk exports to 30 countries and is trying to sell more to the Middle East, Africa, and Cuba but the Vietnamese businesswoman currently faces challenges: profit last year was flat as the price of raw materials – largely imported milk powder – shot up, according to Forbes.
Lien has been included in the Asia's Power Businesswomen list for four consecutive years, Forbes said.
In February 18, 2015, the board of directors of Vinamilk passed a resolution to establish a … [Read more...]

Macadamia cultivation is expected to reap considerable benefits for farmers in the Central Highlands region, where the traditional cultivation of coffee and rubber have started reflecting a development limitation.
That expectations of both farmers and authorities about the potential of macadamia cultivation cannot be ignored.
Macadamia was introduced in Viet Nam for trial cultivation in 2002. Local scientists had tested and found that the north-western and Central Highlands regions offer conditions best suited for the plant.
The potential of macadamia growth also comes from its inherent value. The macadamia nut is dubbed as the "the Queen of Nuts" for its outstanding nutritional value. Experts pointed out that compared with other common edible seeds, such as almond and cashew, macadamia is high in fat and low in protein. It also has the highest amount of mono-unsaturated fats among any known seed.
While it took a century for the cultivation of coffee and rubber to achieve an … [Read more...]

Macadamia was introduced in Viet Nam for trial cultivation in 2002. Local scientists had tested and found that the north-western and Central Highland regions offer conditions best suited for the plant. — Photo nld
LAM DONG (Biz Hub) — Macadamia cultivation is expected to reap considerable benefits for farmers in the central Highlands region, where the traditional cultivation of coffee and rubber have started reflecting a development limitation.
That expectations of both farmers and authorities about the potential of macadamia cultivation cannot be ignored.
Macadamia was introduced in Viet Nam for trial cultivation in 2002. Local scientists had tested and found that the north-western and Central Highland regions offer conditions best suited for the plant.
The potential of macadamia growth also comes from its inherent value. The macadamia nut is dubbed as the "the Queen of Nuts" for its outstanding nutritional value. Experts pointed out that compared with other common … [Read more...]

People visit a macadamia garden on a farm. (Photo: VNA)
A seminar was held in Central Highlands Lam Dong province’s Da Lat city on February 7 to introduce a roadmap for the implementation of a macadamia cultivation project in the Central Highlands region.
It is organised by the Lam Dong People's Committee, the Central Economics Committee and the Central Highlands Steering Committee.
According to the project, the Lien Viet Post Joint Stock Commercial Bank (LienVietPostBank) will lend the Him Lam Joint Stock Company over 20,000 billion VND (over 930 million USD) for planting macadamia for five years.
This is the first project aimed at large-scale cultivation of the macadamia nut in Vietnam.
The Him Lam Company will supply farmers with seeds, fertiliser, and plant protection products and will teach them proper planting techniques.
The money will also be invested during the first phase of the project for macadamia cultivation on 100,000 hectares of land by 2020.
Another … [Read more...]

Opera singer Kouda Hiroko performs and does a language exchange with high school students in Ha Noi. (Photo: VNA)
Doan Lien Huong and her classmates eagerly awaited their upcoming Japanese class, a special lesson that is learned by watching a classic Japanese opera instead of reading textbooks.
"It was the most interesting lesson we have had," said Huong, a 16-year-old student of Hanoi's Kim Lien high school.
"We enjoyed the music, performances and learned new words; our attention was completely absorbed."
The lesson, in which Japanese singers performed scenes from a famous opera, is part of an exchange between opera singers from Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall, the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra and high school students.
The Classical Music and Arts Society of Japan worked together with the two cities' governments to introduce the classic opera Bamboo Princess to the Vietnamese public, according to Kyoko Mimura, president of the society.
Besides performing scenes from the … [Read more...]

LAM DONG (Biz Hub) — A seminar is inaugurated today in the Da Lat City to introduce a roadmap for the implementation of a macadamia cultivation project in the Central Highlands region.
The seminar is organised by the Lam Dong People's Committee, the Central Economics Committee and the Central Highlands Steering Committee.
According to the project, the Lien Viet Post Joint Stock Commercial Bank (LienVietPostBank) will lend the Him Lam Joint Stock Company over VND20,000 billion (over US$930 million) for planting macadamia for five years.
This is the first project aimed at large-scale cultivation of the macadamia nut in Viet Nam.
The Him Lam Company will supply farmers with seeds, fertiliser, and plant protection products and will teach them proper planting techniques.
The money will also be invested during the first phase of the project for macadamia cultivation on 100,000 hectares (ha) of land by 2020.
Another VND18,600 billion ($865 million) is expected to be invested … [Read more...]

Phuong Trang runs out of Tet tickets
Hundreds of passengers failed to get coach tickets to travel from HCMC to the central province of Quang Ngai for the coming Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, from local transport firm Phuong Trang as it had sold out tickets on Saturday.
At around 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, nearly 500 passengers were queuing at Mien Dong Coach Station to wait for their turns to buy HCMC-Quang Ngai tickets after hundreds of other passengers had bought tickets for the service.
However, at 11 a.m., the company announced it had run out of tickets, prompting an uproar among passengers.
Tran Hoang, a passenger who had fallen in line since early morning but could not get a queue ticket, said Phuong Trang had just issued around 500 queue tickets.
Hoang said the company might still have tickets available for the HCMC-Quang Ngai route but decided to hold them back for certain reasons.
Truong Ngoc Thu, deputy director of Phuong Trang, told the Daily on the phone that he … [Read more...]

Frankenstein Theatre Performances in Vietnam
ADGE Europe presents TNT Theatre Britain in:
FRANKENSTEIN
The Monster and the Myth
By Paul Stebbings and Phil Smith
inspired by the Mary Shelley novel and the Hollywood movies.
Performances in English
HANOI OPERA HOUSE
Wed 18 Mar 2015, 8 pm
-
HCMC OPERA HOUSE
Fri 20 Mar 2015, 11 am
20 and 21 Mar 2015, 8 pm
Tickets information below
From ADGE:
FRANKENSTEIN is one of the most potent modern myths. TNT revives its internationally acclaimed production in autumn 2014. Too many stage versions and even films ignore that this story is not a novel but a myth that has grown out of Mary Shelley's original; so our production combines Boris Karloff's immense impact with that of the original story to create a fascinating and entertaining new work. This FRANKENSTEIN is a Gothic comedy and a gripping a horror thriller that explores the darker themes within the myth. Should scientific research be held back by irrational prejudice or religious … [Read more...]

Macadamia, called "Queen of dry nuts" because of high nutrient content, is used as functional food and in cosmetics. According to statistics, the world demand for Macadamia has shot up by four times and predictably, it takes at least ten years to help the current supply to catch up with the increasing demand for Macadamia. The price of Macadamia on the world market keeps increasing, making it one of the most expensive agricultural products today. This nut is evaluated as a potential economic plan for the Central Highlands.Why macadamia?
According to the Central Highlands Institute of Agro-forestry Science and Technology, among more than 450,000 hectares of coffee of the region now, there have been about 20 percent of old coffee trees and many kinds of outputs that are not stable, recoverable and transplanted. It is estimated that by 2020, more than 70 percent of the coffee in this area will have fallen into a similar situation.
Macadamia has been planted in Vietnam since the early … [Read more...]

HCMC opens photo exhibition on wild birds
Wildlife at Risk (WAR) and the Youth Cultural House of Ho Chi Minh City opened a photo exhibition under title "Wild birds in mating season" at HCMC Youth Cultural House on January 24.
Over 130 photos sized of 40X60cm, which were made by photographer Tang A Pau. Through images, the author wants not only to show the beauties and unique characteristics of each kind of birds in Vietnam’s forests but also call everyone to take action in protecting wild birds and nature in Vietnam.
The highlight of the exhibition is a collection of Sarus Crane photos. According to the IUCN Red List of threatened species, Sarus Crane is a kind of endangered bird whose life is threatened.
The exhibition has been opened at HCMC Youth Cultural House from 8am to 8pm every day in January 24- 28.
Researcher to speak on late writer Son Nam
French researcher Pascal Bourdeaux from the Academy of the Far East in HCM City will speak about the late ethnologist Son … [Read more...]

Photos of wild birds on show Saturday
Wildlife At Risk (WAR) will join hands with the Youth Cultural Center to open a photo exhibition called "Chim rung mua ket ban" (wild birds in mating time) by local artist Tang A Pau from January 24 to 28.
It is expected around 130 photos featuring wild birds like red-head crane, white-neck crane and babbler in nature will be on display at the Youth Cultural Center in HCMC’s District 1. Author Tang A Pau has traveled around the country to capture lively moments of birds, especially birds in the mating season.
Some photos will be put on sale at the show to raise funds for wildlife protection and a shelter for kids in the Central Highlands.
"This is a collection with many rare and precious photos of birds which are in danger of extinction, and hardly found in nature. There are many species that I have never seen or just seen once or twice in my life. I’m calling on people to let wild birds live in the natural environment if we … [Read more...]

A number of relics in Hanoi, Hue, and Hoi An Ancient Town will be open to tourists for free during Tet (Lunar New Year), while a myriad of activities are poised to take place in several other localities to celebrate the holiday.
Hanoi
The Hanoi People’s Committee has decided six of the capital’s relics and scenic spots will be open free to visitors on Lunar New Year’s Eve and the first two days of the new year, or from February 18 to 20.
The spots are Ngoc Son and Quan Thanh Temples, Tay Phuong, Thay and Huong Pagodas, and Duong Lam Ancient Village.
Pyrotechnic shows are also expected to light up 30 spots in the city on Lunar New Year’s Eve.
Five high-range firework shows are set to sparkle over Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake, Thong Nhat Park, Lac Long Quan Garden, Van Quan Lake, and My Dinh National Stadium.
The other 25 low-range firework shows will take place in other areas.
Authorities in Hoi An City, located in the central province of Quang Nam, … [Read more...]

YAN launches new channel for women and families
Multimedia corporation YAN Group launched Channel B, a new channel for women and families, last weekend after two months of trial operation on the cable system of HTVC.
Viewers of Channel B can get useful information such as beauty tips, delicious cooking recipes, and health care information for themselves and family. The channel also features film programs, everlasting love songs and famous pieces of literature, poetry and movies in the past, as well as talk shows, and humorous sitcoms for women and families with the theme of daily life stories.
Especially, the program called What I haven’t said discusses the relationship between children and parents, where they can have direct dialogue to understand each other better and look directly into contradictions in family life.
Vietnam Cultural Week shines in Rome
Vietnam Cultural Week in Rome, Italy kicked off on January 12 with an exhibition on the distinguished traditional values … [Read more...]

Local rock music gaining popularity
As many as 20,000 rock music lovers took part in RockStorm7 night concert which was held in HCMC on December 27. This was seen as a highlight in the local music industry, manifesting the vigorous sprit of rock music.
RockStorm7 undoubtedly created an unforgettable music feast among rock enthusiasts with the participation of six bands playing different styles of rock including Stevans from Switzerland and SPF from Thailand.
There are currently more than 10 leading rock bands in Vietnam such as Buc Tuong, Microwave, Ngu Cung and Unlimited.
Perhaps due to the fact that this type of music is too strong and overwhelming for a majority of people, rock music is only available at bars, clubs and a few music festivals without much attention from the media. Therefore, the possible way to connect rock music and its lovers is by means of album launch and promotion on digital platforms.
However, issuing albums is also seen as a challenge for bands … [Read more...]

PANO – The victory in the Central Highlands, and especially the victory of Tri Thien - Hue Campaign, isolated the enemy’s military bases in Da Nang and all the remaining force of the enemy’s Army Corps 1 and Military Tactical Zone 1 in Quang Da region, and blocked the roads to Saigon.
After losing Tri Thien, Quang Ngai and most of Quang Nam provinces, the entire remaining forces of the Saigon government’s Army Corps 1 and Military Tactical Zone 1 fled to Quang Da. The enemy deemed that "The communists intend to attack Da Nang and it takes at least a month to prepare for the operation." Based on that anticipation, the Saigon force decided to "keep Da Nang at any cost".
Under the direction of the Politburo, the Central Military Commission and the General Command, Tri Thien Military Region, Army Corps 2, and Military Zone 5 launched Da Nang Offensive Campaign (March 26th to March 29th, 1975) aiming to destroy the whole enemy’s force in the Quang Da … [Read more...]

PANO - The 8th Youth Aspiration, an art program themed "The nation calls our names", took place at the Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Cultural Palace, Hanoi on December 28th in the presence of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
The program, organized by the Youth Newspaper, was to welcome to the 7th National Congress of the Vietnam Youth Federation and to message Vietnamese youths’ patriotism, high sense of responsibility and spirit of firmly defending national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
This live-broadcast event highlighted the past struggles for national independence and freedom; the images of Heroic Vietnamese Mothers; the role of Vietnamese youths towards the nation, with a focus on the protection of national sovereignty over the seas and islands; and Vietnamese youths’ trust and contributions to the national construction cause.
Many well-known singers performed songs in praise of the country and youths. Notably, 20 dancers from the Kharkiv … [Read more...]

HCM City hotels host New Year countdown parties
A number of HCM City-based hotels are holding countdown parties to welcome the New Year.
Female DJ Faith from Kuala Lumpur will present a special performance on New Year's Eve at Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers' Level 23 Nightspot, while Filipino band Sound On Fire will perform at the countdown party at the hotel's The Lounge.
Sofitel Saigon Plaza will host a countdown party at a rooftop pool with a live music performance by local DJs. All the events are scheduled for New Year's Eve.
Guns N' Roses tribute night
Fans of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses shouldn't miss a tribute concert to the legendary band hosted by Hanoi Rock City tonight.
Local band Nevermind will relive the early 1990s with a repertoire featuring more than 20 songs by the American hard rock band such as Civil War and Welcome to the Jungle.
The show will start at 8pm at Hanoi Rock City (27/52 To Ngoc Van Street, Tay Ho District). Tickets cost … [Read more...]